Why do Americans and foreigners alike describe the USA as prudish? Why do I see nothing prudish about the USA society? USA feels like one of the loosest countries although Americans claim to be very reserved.
12.06.2025 06:16
The ridiculous 2004 Superbowl ‘Nipplegate’ was a more recent reminder of how US attitudes have not really advanced much since the Hays code.
Remember the Hays Code?
lustful kissing is to be shown with care
If you could instantly cancel one social norm, what would it be?
disrespect of authority figures. Crooked judges are OK if they are also clearly portrayed as evil people
Meanwhile, the rest of the world still sniggers at American prudishness.
toilets being shown
Is the saying "nice guys finish last" true? Can good intentions always lead to positive outcomes?
nudity, or even suggestions of it (e.g. a silhouette)
the display of bellybuttons
For 34 years, movie and TV studios censored themselves to appease the Puritanical whims of Will Hays.
How did you as a human being change while growing up?
couples in the same bed, even if married. (Laurel and Hardy came before the code)
Some ridiculous highlights of the code in effect banned or discouraged:
any profanity to the Christian religion, e.g. hell, damn, God (unless used in a holy sense), or ridicule of the clergy.
sexual perversion, including homosexuality (naturally), and sexual relationships between the white and black races.